Novel growth factor and a genetic sequence encoding same

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to an isolated molecule having vascular endothelial growth factor-like properties and to a genetic sequence encoding same. The molecule will be useful in the development of a range of therapeutics and diagnostics useful in the treatment, prophylaxis and/or diagnosis of conditions requiring enhanced or diminished vasculature and/or vascular permeability. The molecule of the present invention is also a useful effector of primary and central neurons and is capable of inducing astroglial proliferation.

[0001] The present invention relates generally to an isolated molecule having vascular endothelial growth factor-like properties and to a genetic sequence encoding same. The molecule will be useful in the development of a range of therapeutics and diagnostics useful in the treatment, prophylaxis and/or diagnosis of conditions requiring enhanced or diminished vasculature and/or vascular permeability. The molecule of the present invention is also a useful effector of primary and central neurons and is capable of inducing astroglial proliferation.

[0002] Bibliographic details of the publications referred to by author in this specification are collected at the end of the description. Sequence Identity Numbers (SEQ ID NOs.) for the nucleotide and amino acid sequences referred to in the specification are defined following the bibliography.

[0003] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or integer or group of elements or integers but not the exclusion of any other element or integer or group of elements or integers.

[0004] Vascular endothelial growth factor (hereinafter referred to as “VEGF”), also known as vasoactive permeability factor, is a secreted, covalently linked homodimeric glycoprotein that specifically activates endothelial tissues (Senger et al., 1993). A range of functions have been attributed to VEGF such as its involvement in normal angiogensis including formation of the corpus luteum (Yari et al., 1993) and placental development (Sharkey et al., 1993), regulation of vascular permeability (Senger et al., 1993), inflammatory angiogenesis (Sunderkotter et al., 994) and autotransplantation (Dissen et al., 1994) and human diseases such as tumour promoting angiogenesis (Folkman & Shing, 1992), rheumatoid arthritis (Koch et al., 1994) and diabetes related retinopathy (Folkman & Shing, 1992).

[0005] VEGF is, therefore, an important molecule making it a potentially valuable target for research into therapeutics, prophylactics and diagnostic agents based on VEGF or its activities. There is also a need to identify homologues or otherwise related molecules for use as an alternative to VEGF or in conjunction with VEGF.

[0006] In work leading up to the present invention, the inventors sought the multiple endocrine neoplasia type I susceptibility gene (MEN1). Surprisingly, the inventors discovered that a genetic sequence excluded as a candidate for the MENI gene was nevertheless a new growth factor having some similarity to VEGF. Furthermore, the growth factor of the present invention is an effector molecule for primary and central neurons.

[0007] Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention comprises a biologically isolated proteinaceous molecule comprising a sequence of amino acids which:

[0008] (i) is at least about 15% similar to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; and

[0009] (ii) is at least 5% dissimilar to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention provides a biologically isolated proteinaceous molecule having the following characteristics:

[0011] (i) comprises an amino acid sequence having at least about 15% similarity but at least about 5% dissimilarity to all or part of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2;

[0012] (ii) exhibits at least one property in common with VEGF.

[0013] A related aspect of the present invention contemplates a biologically isolated proteinaceous molecule having the following characteristics:

[0014] (i) comprises an amino acid sequence having at least about 15% similarity but at least about 5% dissimilarity to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2;

[0015] (ii) exhibits at least one of the foll[owing properties:

[0016] (a) ability to induce proliferation of vascular endothelial cells;

[0017] (b) ability to interact with flt-1/flk-1 family of receptors;

[0018] (c) ability to induce cell migration, cell survival and/or an increase in intracellular levels of alkaline phosphatase.

[0019] By “biologically isolated” is meant that the molecule has undergone at least one step of purification from a biological source. Preferably, the molecule is also biologically pure meaning that a composition comprises at least about 20%, more preferably at least about 40%, still more preferably at least about 65%, even still more preferably at least about 80-90% or greater of the molecule as determined by weight, activity or other convenient means, relative to other compounds in the composition. Most preferably, the molecule is sequencably pure.

[0020] Another preferred aspect of the present invention provides the molecule in recombinant form.

[0021] According to this aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recombinant molecule comprising a sequence of amino acids which:

[0022] (i) is at least about 15% similar to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; and

[0023] (ii) is at least 5% dissimilar to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.

[0024] A related aspect of the present invention is directed to a recombinant molecule having the following characteristics:

[0025] (i) comprises an amino acid sequence having at least about 15% similarity but at least about 5% dissimilarity to all or part of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2;

[0026] (ii) exhibits at least one property in common with VEGF.

[0027] A further related aspect of the present invention contemplates a recombinant molecule having the following characteristics:

[0028] (i) comprises an amino acid sequence having at least about 15% similarity but at least about 5% dissimilarity to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2;

[0029] (ii) exhibits at least one of the following properties:

[0030] (a) ability to induce proliferation of vascular endothelial cells;

[0031] (b) ability to interact with flt-1 flk-1 family of receptors;

[0032] (c) ability to induce cell migration, cell survival and/or an increase in intracellular levels of alkaline phosphatase.

[0033] The present invention also contemplates genomic or partial genome clones encoding a proteinaceous molecule having at least about 15% amino acid similarity but at least about 5% dissimilarity to SEQ ID NO:1.

[0034] The amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 corresponds to human VEGF (referred to herein as “VEGF₁₆₅”). Accordingly, the molecule of the present invention is VEGF-like or is a homologue of VE GF but comprises an amino acid sequence which is similar but non-identical to the amino sequence of VEGF. Although the present invention is exemplified using a human VEGF-like molecule, this is done with the understanding that the instant invention contemplates the homologous molecule and encoding sequence from other mammals such as livestock animals (e.g. sheep, pigs, horses and cows), companion animals (e.g. dogs and cats) and laboratory test animals (e.g. mice, rats, rabbits and guinea pigs) as well as non-mammals such as birds (e.g. poultry birds), fish and reptiles. In a most preferred embodiment, the VEGF-like molecule is of human origin and encoded by a gene located at chromosome 11q13. The present invention extends, therefore, to the genomic sequence or part thereof encoding the subject VEGF-like molecule.

[0035] Preferably, the percentage similarity is at least about 30%, more preferably at least about 40%, still more preferably at least about 50%, still even more preferably at least about 60-70%, yet even more preferably at least about 80-95% to all or part of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.

[0036] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the VEGF-like molecule of the present invention comprises a sequence of amino acids as set forth in SEQ ID NO:4 or is a part, fragment, derivative or analogue thereof. Particularly preferred similarities include about 19-20%, and 29-30%. Reference herein to derivatives also includes splice variants. Accordingly, the present invention extends to splice variants of SOM175. Examples of splice variants contemplated by the present invention include but are not limited to variants with an amino acid sequence substantially as set forth in at least one of SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8 and/or SEQ ID NO: 10 or mutants or derivatives or further splice variants thereof.

[0037] Another embodiment provides a recombinant molecule having the following characteristics:

[0038] (i) an amino acid sequence substantially as set forth in SEQ ID NO:4 or having at least about 15% similarity to all or part thereof provided that said amino acid sequence is at least about 5% dissimilar to all or part of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2;

[0039] (ii) exhibits at least one biological property in common with VEGF.

[0040] Another embodiment provides a recombinant molecule having the following characteristics:

[0041] (i) an amino acid sequence substantially as set forth in SEQ ID NO:6 or having at least about 15% similarity to all or part thereof provided that said amino acid sequence is at least about 5% dissimilar to all or part of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2;

[0042] (ii) exhibits at least one biological property in common with VEGF.

[0043] Another embodiment provides a recombinant molecule having the following characteristics:

[0044] (i) an amino acid sequence substantially as set forth in SEQ ID NO:8 or having at least about 15% similarity to all or part thereof provided that said amino acid sequence is at least about 5% dissimilar to all or part of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2;

[0045] (ii) exhibits at least one biological property in common with VEGF.

[0046] Another embodiment provides a recombinant molecule having the following characteristics:

[0047] (i) an amino acid sequence substantially as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 10 or having at least about 15% similarity to all or part thereof provided that said amino acid sequence is at least about 5% dissimilar to all or part of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2;

[0048] (ii) exhibits at least one biological property in common with VEGF.

[0049] Such properties of VEGF include at least one of:

[0050] (a) ability to induce proliferation of vascular endothelial cells;

[0051] (b) an ability to interact with flt-1/flk-1 family of receptors;

[0052] (c) an ability to induce cell migration, cell survival and/or an increase in intracellular levels of alkaline phosphatase.

[0053] In accordance with the present invention, a preferred similarity is at least about 40%, more preferably at least about 50% and even more preferably at least about 65% similarity.

[0054] Still a further aspect of the present invention contemplates a peptide fragment corresponding to a portion of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4 or a splice variant thereof such as set forth in SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8 or SEQ ID NO:10 or a chemical equivalent thereof. The biologically isolated or recombinant molecule of the present invention may be naturally glycosylated or may comprise an altered glycosylation pattern depending on the cells from which it is isolated or synthesised. For example, if produced by recombinant means in prokaryotic organisms, the molecule would be non-glycosylated. The molecule may be a full length, naturally occurring form or may be a truncated or otherwise derivatised form.

[0055] Yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to a nucleic acid molecule encoding the VEGF-like molecule herein described. More particularly, the present invention provides a nucleic acid molecule comprising a sequence of nucleotides substantially as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 or having at least 15% similarity to all or part thereof or being capable of hybridising under low stringency conditions to a reverse complement of the nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 provided that the nucleic acid sequence having at least 15% similarity but at least 30% dissimilarity to the nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3. The nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 is also referred to herein as “SOM175”. Preferably, the percentage dissimilarity is about 35%, more preferably about 39% and even more preferably about 40-50% or greater.

[0056] For the purposes of defining the level of stringency, reference can conveniently be made to Sambrook et al (1989) at pages 9.47-9.51 which is herein incorporated by reference where the washing steps disclosed are considered high stringency. A low stringency is defined herein as being in 4-6×SSC/0.1-0.5% w/v SDS at 37-45° C. for 2-3 hours. Depending on the source and concentration of nucleic acid involved in the hybridisation, alternative conditions of stringency may be employed such as medium stringent conditions which are considered herein to be 1-4×SSC/0.25-0.5% w/v SDS at >45° C. for 2-3 hours or high stringent conditions considered herein to be 0.1-1×SSC/0. 1% w/v SDS at 60° C. for 1-3 hours.

[0057] The present invention further contemplates a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a VEGF-like molecule as hereinbefore described having at least 15% nucleotide sequence homology to SEQ ID NO:3. Preferred levels of homology include at least about 40%, more preferably around 60-70%.

[0058] The present invention is further directed to the murine homologue of human VEGF (referred to herein as “mVRF”). The mVRF has approximately 85% identity and 92% conservation of amino acid residues over the entire coding region compared to human VEGF. The mVRF is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence substantially as set forth in FIG. 9.

[0059] The VEGF-like molecule of the present invention will be useful in the development of a range of therapeutic and/or diagnostic applications alone or in combination with other molecules such as VEGF. The present invention extends, therefore, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the VEGF-like molecule or parts, fragments, derivatives, homologues or analogues thereof together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or diluents. Furthermore, the present invention extends to vectors comprising the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 or having at least about 15%, more preferably about 40% and even more preferably around 60-70% similarity thereto but at least 30% and more preferably around 39% dissimilarity thereto and host cells comprising same. In addition, the present invention extends to ribozymes and antisense molecules based on SEQ ID NO:3 as well as neutralizing antibodies to the VEGF-like molecule. Such molecules may be useful in ameliorating the effects of, for example, over expression of VEGF-like genes leading to angiogenesis or vascularization of tumours.

[0060] Another aspect of the present invention contemplates a method of inducing astroglial proliferation in a mammal, said method comprising administering to said mammal an effective amount of a recombinant proteinaceous molecule having the characteristics:

[0061] (i) comprises an amino acid sequence having at least about 15% similarity but at least about 5% dissimilarity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2;

[0062] (ii) exhibits at least one property in common with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),

[0063] said administration being for a time and under conditions sufficient to induce astroglial proliferation.

[0064] Preferably, the recombinant proteinaceous molecule comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 or SEQ ID NO:6.

[0065] A further aspect of the present invention provides a method of promoting neural survival and/or proliferation in a mammal, said method comprising administering to said mammal an effective amount of a recombinant proteinaceous molecule having the characteristics:

[0066] (i) comprises an amino acid sequence having at least about 15% similarity but at least about 5% dissimilarity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2;

[0067] (ii) exhibits at least one property in common with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),

[0068] said administration being for a time and under conditions sufficient to induce astroglial proliferation.

[0069] Preferably, the recombinant proteinaceous molecule comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 or SEQ II) NO:6.

[0070] The present invention also contemplates antibodies to the VEGF-like molecule or nucleic acid probes to a gene encoding the VEGF-like molecule which are useful as diagnostic agents.

[0071] The present invention is further described by reference to the following non-limiting Figures and/or Examples.

[0072] In the Figures:

[0073]FIG. 1 Nucleotide sequence [SEQ ID NO:1] and corresponding amino acid sequence [SEQ ID NO:2] of VEGF₁₆₅.

[0074]FIG. 2 Nucleotide sequence [SEQ ID NO:3] and corresponding amino acid sequence [SEQ ID NO:4] of SOM175.

[0075]FIG. 3 Results of BLAST search with SOM175 protein sequence.

[0076]FIG. 4 BESTFIT alignment of VEGF cDNA and SOM175 cDNA.

[0077]FIG. 5 Multiple alignment of VEGF₁₆₅ with SOM175 and its splice variants at the nucleotide level.

[0078]FIG. 6 Multiple alignment of VEGF₁₆₅ with SOM175 and its splice variants at the amino acid level.

[0079]FIG. 7 Diagrammatic representation of SOM175 and its splice variants.

[0080]FIG. 8(a) Diagrammatic representation of genomic structure of human SOM175 genomic showing exon/intron map.

[0081]FIG. 8(b) Diagrammatic representation of genomic structure of human SOM175 showing exon/intron boundries.

[0082]FIG. 9 Nucleotide and predicted peptide sequences derived from mVRF cDNA clones. Numbering of nucleotides are given on the left, starting from the A of the initiation codon. Amino acids are numbered on the right, starting from the first residue of the predicted mature protein after the putative signal peptide has been removed. The alternately spliced region is double underlined and the resulting peptide sequence from each mRNA is included. A potential polyadenylation signal is indicated in boldface. Start and stop codons of mVRF₁₆₇ and mVRF₁₈₆ are underlined and a polymorphic AC repeat in the 3′ UTR is indicated by a stippled box. The positions of intron/exons boundaries are indicated by arrowheads.

[0083]FIG. 10 BESTFIT alignments of human and murine VRF protein isoforms. A: mVRF₁₆₇ and hVRF₁₆₇. B: mVRF₁₈₆ and hVRF₁₈₆ from the point where the sequences diverge from the respective 167 amino acid isoforms. Amino acid identities are marked with vertical bars and conserved amino acids with colons. An arrow marks the predicted signal peptide cleavage site of human and mouse VRF.

[0084]FIG. 11 BESTFIT alignment of mVRF₁₆₇ and mVEGF₁₈₈ (Breier et al, 1992) peptide sequences. An arrow marks the signal peptide cleavage site of mVEGF. Identical amino acids are indicated by vertical bars and conservative substitutions by colons. Numbering of amino acids is as described in the legend to FIG. 9.

[0085]FIG. 12 Comparison of gene structure between VRF (a generic VRF gene is shown since the intron/exon organisation of the mouse and human homologues is almost identical) and other members of the human VEGF/PIGF/PDGF gene family. Exons are represented by boxes. Protein coding regions and untranslated regions are shown by filled and open sections respectively. The hatched region in VRF indicates the additional 3′ UTR sequence formed by alternate splicing of the VRF₁₈₆ isoform. Potential alternate splice products of each gene are shown.

[0086]FIG. 13 Autoradiogram of a Northern blot of total RNA from various adult mouse tissues (as indicated) hybridised with an mVRF cDNA clone. A major transcript of 1.3 kb was detected in all samples.

[0087]FIG. 14 Film autoradiographs (A-C) and dark-field micrographs (D-E) illustrating the expression pattern of mVRF and mRNA in the mouse. In the E14 mouse embryo (A) positive signals are present over the developing heart (Ha) and cerebral cortex (Cx). A low background signal is also present over other tissues in the section. In the E17 embryo (B) and the heart (Ha) is clearly visible due to a strong hybridisation signal. An equally strong signal is present over brown adipose tissue (Fa) in the back and around the thoracic cage. A moderate hybridisation signal is present over the spinal cord (SC) and the tongue (T). The background signal is reduced compared with the E14 embryo. In the young adult mouse (C-D), positive signals are present over the heart (Ha) and adipose tissue (Fa) around the thoracic cage, while, for example, the lungs (Lu) are unlabeled). The hybridisation signal over the heart is evenly distributed over the entire left ventricle, including papillary muscles (D). In the E17 heart hybridised with an excess of cold probe, no positive signal is present (E). Scale bars=0.5 mm (A), 1.2 mm (B), 1 mm (C), 0.3 mm (D), 0.1 mm (E).

[0088]FIG. 15 Dark—(A and C) and bright-field (B and D) micrographs showing mVRF MRNA expression in mouse adipose tissue (A-B) and spinal cord (C-D). A strong hybridisation signal is present over fat (A), as shown by the strong labeling in Sudan black stained sections (B). A weak signal is present also in skeletal muscle (M in A-B). In the adult spinal cord (C) the mVRF probes gave a neuronal staining pattern over the gray matter. Toloudine counterstaining showing that motoneurons in the ventral horn (D), interneurons in the deep part of the dorsal horn and around the central canal (not shown) where largely positive for mVRF mRNA. Scale bars=0.1 mm (A), 0.1 mm (B), 0.25 mm (C), 0.015 mm (D).

[0089]FIG. 16 Effect of VEGF on embryonic day 8 (E8) chick sensory neurons as determined by % survival, % neurite outgrowth and average neurite length (μm).

[0090]FIG. 17 Effects of VEGF and SOM175 on chick glia. Tested were CNS glial, peripheral glia and CNS oligodendrocytes.

[0091]FIG. 18 Effect of various SOM175 proteins on mouse astroglial cells. ▪ ³H (cpm)

[0092] 1. FGF-2 (10 ng/ml) positive control

[0093] 2. SOMΔX6* 1 ng/ml

[0094] 3. SOMΔX6 10 ng/ml

[0095] 4. SOMΔX6 100 ng/ml

[0096] 5. SOMΔX6 1000 ng/ml

[0097] 6. SOMΔX6 1000 ng/ml, no heparin

[0098] 7. SOMX6** 1 ng/ml

[0099] 8. SOMX6 10 ng/ml

[0100] 9. SOMX6 100 ng/ml

[0101] 10. SOMX6 1000 ng/ml

[0102] 11. SOMX6 1000 ng/ml, no heparin

[0103] *This refers to SOM175 absent exon 6;

[0104] **This refers to SOM175.

[0105]FIG. 19 Effect of various SOM175 proteins on mouse oligodenroglial cells. ▪ ³H (cpm)

[0106] 1. FGF-2 (10 ng/ml) positive control

[0107] 2. SOMΔX6* 1 ng/ml

[0108] 3. SOMΔX6 10 ng/ml

[0109] 4. SOMΔX6 100 ng/ml

[0110] 5. SOMΔX6 1000 ng/ml

[0111] 6. SOMΔX6 1000 ng/ml, no heparin

[0112] 7. SOMX6** 1 ng/ml

[0113] 8. SOMX6 10 ng/ml

[0114] 9. SOMX6 100 ng/ml

[0115] 10. SOMX6 1000 ng/ml

[0116] 11. SOMX6 1000 ng/ml, no heparin

[0117] *This refers to SOM175 absent exon 6;

[0118] **This refers to SOM175.

[0119]FIG. 20 Effect of various SOM 175 proteins on mouse forebrain neurons. ▪ % survival

[0120] 1. FGF-2 (10 ng/ml) positive control

[0121] 2. SOMΔX6* 1 ng/ml

[0122] 3. SOMΔX6 10 ng/ml

[0123] 4. SOMΔX6 100 ng/ml

[0124] 5. SOMΔX6 1000 ng/ml

[0125] 6. SOMΔX6 1000 ng/ml, no heparin

[0126] 7. SOMX6** 1 ng/ml

[0127] 8. SOMX6 10 ng/ml

[0128] 9. SOMX6 100 ng/m

[0129] 10. SOMX6 1000 ng/ml

[0130] 11. SOMX6 1000 ng/ml, no heparin

[0131] *This refers to SOM175 absent exon 6;

[0132] **This refers to SOM175. TABLE 1 SUMMARY OF SEQUENCE IDENTITY NUMBERS SEQ ID NO:1 Nucleotide sequence of VEGF₁₆₅ SEQ ID NO:2 Amino acid sequence of VEGF₁₆₅ SEQ ID NO:3 Nucleotide sequence of SOM175 (VEGF-like molecules) SEQ ID NO:4 Amino acid sequence of SOM175 SEQ ID NO:5 Nucleotide sequence of SOM175 absent exon 6 SEQ ID NO:6 Amino acid sequence of SOM175 absent exon 6 SEQ ID NO:7 Nucleotide sequence of SOM175 absent exon 6 and exon 7 SEQ ID NO:8 Amino acid sequence of SOM175 absent exon 6 and exon 7 SEQ ID NO:9 Nucleotide sequence of SOM175 absent exon 4 SEQ ID NO:10 Amino acid sequence of SOM175 absent exon 4 SEQ ID NO:11 Oligonucleotide SEQ ID NO:12 Oligonucleotide SEQ ID NO:13 Oligonucleotide SEQ ID NO:14 Oligonucleotide

EXAMPLE 1

[0133] Human cDNA clones

[0134] The original SOM175 cDNA was isolated by screening a human foetal brain library (λzapII, Stratagene) with the cosmid D 11S750 (Larsson et al, 1992). The plasmid was excised “in vivo” and a single 1.1 kb cDNA was obtained. Three independent SOM175 cDNAs clones were also isolated from a human foetal spleen library (Strategane, Uni-zap) using the above-mentioned SOM175 insert as a probe. Three clones were obtained: SOM175-4A, -5A and -6A. SOM175-5A is an alternately spliced clone with exon 4 being absent (SOM175-e4). These library screens were performed using hybridisation conditions recommended by the manufacturer of the library (Stratagene) and random primed insert of SOM175.

[0135] Two partial human SOM175 cDNAs have also isolated from a λGT11 human melanoma cell line A2058 library (Clontech) cDNA library screens were performed using hybridisation conditions described by Church and Gilbert, 1984). In each case, the probe was generated by random priming of a PCR product derived from SOM175 (18f-700r).

[0136] Mouse cDNA Clones

[0137] Human SOM175 was also used to screen a mouse neonatal whole brain cDNA library (Unizap, Stratagene). Four non-chimeric clones were isolated: M175-A, B, C, D. All clones were partial cDNAs and M175-C contained several introns. Three of these cDNAs lacked the exon 6.

[0138] Another clone referred to as M1 was completely sequenced and was found to contain the full open reading frame plus part of the 5′utr and total 3′utr.

EXAMPLE 2 Dna Sequence Analysis

[0139] The entire sequence of the cDNA clone (SOM175) was compiled and is shown in FIG. 2 with its corresponding amino acid sequence. This sequence was screened for open reading frames using the MAP program (GCG, University of Wisconsin). A single open reading frame of 672 bp was observed (see FIG. 2). There appears to be little 5′ untranslated sequences (2 bp). The 3′ untranslated region appears to be complete as it includes a poly-adenylation signal and poly-A tail.

[0140] Database homology searches were performed using the BLAST algorithm (run at NCBI, USA). This analysis revealed homology to several mammalian forms of VEGF (see FIG. 3). The amount of homology between SOM175 and human VEGF₁₆₅ was determined using the BESTFIT program (GCG, University of Wisconsin; see FIGS. 4 and 5). Nucleotide homology was estimated at 69.7% and protein homology was estimated as at least 33.3% identity and 52.5% conservation using BESTFIT analysis. BLAST analysis on nucleotide sequences revealed the almost complete match to a human expressed sequence tag EST06302 (Adams et al., 1993).

[0141] These data indicate that SOM175 encodes a growth factor that has structural similarities to VEGF. Both genes show start and stop codons in similar positions and share discrete blocks of homology. All 8 cysteines as well as a number of other VEGF residues believed to be involved in dimerisation are conserved. These residues are Cysteine-47, Proline-70, Cysteine-72, Valine-74, Arginine-77, Cysteine-78, Glycine-80, Cysteine-81, Cysteine-82, Cysteine-89, Proline-91, Cysteine-122 and Cysteine-124 and are shown in FIG. 6. Given the structural conservation between VEGF and the SOM175 gene product it is also possible that they share functional similarities. It is proposed that SOM 175 encodes a VEGF-like molecule that shares some properties with VEGF but has unique properties of its own. The nucleotide sequence and corresponding amino acid sequence of VEGF₁₆₅ is shown in FIG. 1.

EXAMPLE 3

[0142] The percentage similarity and divergence between VEGF₁₆₅ family and SOM175 family (protein) were analysed using the Clustal method, MegAlign Software, DNASTAR, Wisconsin. The results are shown in Tables 2.1 and 2.2. The alternatively spliced forms of SOM175 are abbreviated to SOM715-e6 where all of exon 6 is deleted; SOM715-e6 and 7 where all of exons 6 and 7 are deleted; and SOM175-e4 where all of exon 4 is deleted. The spliced form of SOM175 are shown in FIG. 7. Genomic maps of SOM175 showing intron/exon boundaries are shown in FIG. 8a and 8 b. TABLE 2.1 SOM175- SOM175- SOM175- VEGF₁₆₅ SOM175 e6 e6&7 e4 A Percent nucleotide similarity between splice variants of SOM175 and human VEGF₁₆₅ VEGF₁₆₅ *** 34.9 39.7 41.4 37.0 SOM175 *** 98.9 95.1 99.2 SOM175-e6 *** 98.8 84.0 SOM175- *** 80.3 e6&7 SOM175-e4 *** B Percent nucleotide divergence between splice variants of SOM175 and human VEGF₁₆₅ VEGF₁₆₅ *** 41.7 41.6 41.7 41.8 SOM175 *** 0.2 0.2 0.0 SOM175-e6 *** 0.0 0.2 SOM175- *** 0.3 e6&7 SOM175-e4 ***

[0143] TABLE 2.2 SOM175- SOM175- SOM175- VEGF₁₆₅ SOM175 e6 e6&7 e4 A Percent amino acid identity between splice variants of SOM175 and human VEGF₁₆₅ VEGF₁₆₅ *** 31.4 42.3 33.5 40.6 SOM175 *** 74.7 73.7 99.1 SOM175-e6 *** 76.8 99.1 SOM175- *** 99.1 e6&7 SOM175-e4 *** B Percent amino acid divergence between splice variants of SOM175 and human VEGF₁₆₅ VEGF₁₆₅ *** 65.7 55.4 54.6 57.4 SOM175 *** 19.9 4.2 0.0 SOM175-e6 *** 0.0 0.0 SOM175- *** 0.0 e6&7 SOM175-e4 ***

EXAMPLE 4 Bioassays to Determine the Function of SOM175

[0144] Assays are conducted to evaluate whether SOM175 has similar activities to VEGF on endothelial cell function, angiogenesis and wound healing. Other assays are performed based on the results of receptor binding distribution studies.

[0145] Assays of Endothelial Cell Function

[0146] Endothelial cell proliferation. Endothelial cell growth assays as described in Ferrara & Henzel (1989) and in Gospodarowicz et al (1989).

[0147] Vascular permeability assay. This assay, which utilises the Miles test in guinea pigs, will be performed as described in Miles & Miles (1952).

[0148] Cell adhesion assay. The influence of SOM175 on adhesion of polymorphs to endothelial cells is analysed.

[0149] Chemotaxis. This is performed using the standard Boyden chamber chemotaxis assay.

[0150] Plasminogen activator assay. Endothelial cells are tested for plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor production upon addition of SOM175 (Pepper et al (1991)).

[0151] Endothelial cell migration assay. The ability of SOM175 to stimulate endothelial cells to migrate and form tubes is assayed as described in Montesano et al (1986).

[0152] Angiogenesis Assay

[0153] SOM175 induction of an angiogenic response in chick chorioallantoic membrane is evaluated as described in Leung et al (1989).

[0154] Possible neurotrophic actions of SOM175 are assessed using the following assays:

[0155] Neurite Outgrowth Assay and Gene Induction (PC12 Cells)

[0156] PC12 cells (a phaeochromocytoma cell line) respond to NGF and other neurotrophic factors by developing the characteristics of sympathetic neurons, including the induction of early and late genes and the extension of neurites. These cells are exposed to SOM175 and their response monitored (Drinkwater et al (1991); and Drinkwater et al (1993)).

[0157] Cultured Neurons from the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

[0158] Primary cultures of the following PNS neurons are exposed to SOM175 and monitored for any response:

[0159] sensory neurons from neural crest and dorsal root ganglia

[0160] sympathetic neurons from sympathetic chain ganglia

[0161] placode derived sensory neurons from nodose ganglia

[0162] motoneurons from spinal cord

[0163] The assays are described in Suter et al (1992) and in Marinou et al (1992).

[0164] Where an in vitro response is observed, in vivo assays for properties such as uptake and retrograde transport are performed as described in Hendry et al (1992).

[0165] Nerve Regeneration (PNS)

[0166] Where neurotrophic effects of SOM175 are observed, its possible role in the regeneration of axotomised sensory neurons, sympathetic neurons and motoneurons is analysed by the methods of Otto et al (1989); Yip et al (1984) and Hendry et al (1976).

[0167] Actions of SOM175 on CNS Neurons

[0168] The ability of SOM175 to promote survival of central nervous system neurons is analysed as described in Hagg et al (1992); Williams et al (1986); Hefti (1986) and Kromer (1987).

[0169] Wound Healing

[0170] The ability of SOM175 to support wound healing are tested in the most clinically relevant model available, as described in Schilling et al (1959) and utilised by Hunt et al (1967).

[0171] The Haemopoietic System

[0172] A variety of in vitro and in vivo assays on specific cell populations of the haemopoietic system are available and are outlined below:

[0173] Stem Cells

[0174] Murine

[0175] A variety of novel in vitro murine stem cell assays have been developed using FACS-purified cells:

[0176] (a) Repopulating Stem Cells

[0177] These are cells capable of repopulating the bone marrow of lethally irradiated mice, and have the Lin⁻, Rh^(hi), Ly-6A/E⁺, c-kit⁺ phenotype. The test substance is tested on these cells either alone, or by co-incubation with multiple factors, followed by measurement of cellular proliferation by ³H thymidine incorporation.

[0178] (b) Late Stage Stem Cells

[0179] These are cells that have comparatively little bone marrow repopulating ability but can generate D13 CFU-S. These cells have the Lin⁻, Rh^(hi), Ly-6A/E⁺c-kit⁺ phenotype. The test substance is incubated with these cells for a period of time, injected into lethally irradiated recipients, and the number of D13 spleen colonies enumerated.

[0180] (c) Progenitor-Enriched Cells

[0181] These are cells that respond in vitro to single growth factors, and have the Lin⁻, Rh^(hi), Ly-6A/E⁺, c-kit⁺ phenotype. This assay will show if SOM175 can act directly on haemopoietic progenitor cells. The test substance is incubated with these cells in agar cultures, and the number of colonies enumerated after 7-14 days.

[0182] Atherosclerosis

[0183] Smooth muscle cells play a crucial role in the development or initiation of atherosclerosis, requiring a change in their phenotype from a contractile to a synthetic state. Macrophages, endothelial cells, T lymphocytes and platelets all play a role in the development of atherosclerotic plaques by influencing the growth and phenotypic modulations of smooth muscle cell. An in vitro assay that measures the proliferative rate and phenotypic modulations of smooth muscle cells in a multicellular environment is used to assess the effect of SOM175 on smooth muscle cells. The system uses a modified Rose chamber in which different cell types are seeded onto opposite coverslips.

[0184] Effects of SOM175 on Bone

[0185] The ability of SOM175 to regulate proliferation of osteoblasts is assayed as described in Lowe et al (1991). Any effects on bone resorption are assayed as described in Lowe et al (1991). Effects on osteoblast migration and changes in intracellular molecules (e.g. cAMP accumulation, alkaline phosphatase levels) are analysed as described in Midy et al (1994).

[0186] Effects on Skeletal Muscle Cells

[0187] Effects of SOM175 on proliferation of myoblasts and development of myotubes can be determined as described by Ewton et al (1980) and by Gospodarowicz et al (1976).

EXAMPLE 5 Cloning Murine VEGF DNA

[0188] Isolation of cDNAs

[0189] Murine VRF (mVRF) clones were selected from a lambda Zap new born whole brain cDNA library (Stratagene). Primary phage from high density filters (5×10⁴ pfu/plate) were identified by hybridisation with a 682 bp ³²P-labelled probe generated by PCR from an hVRF cDNA (pSOM175) as described above. Hybridisation and stringent washes of nylon membranes (Hybond-N) were carried out at 65° C. under conditions described by Church and Gilbert (1984). Positive plaques were picked, purified and excised in vivo to produce bacterial colonies containing cDNA clones in pbluescript SK-.

[0190] Isolation of Genomic Clones

[0191] Genomic clones were isolated from a mouse strain SV/129 library cloned in the lambda Fix II vector (Stratagene). High density filters (5×10⁴ pfu/filter) were screened with a 563 bp ³²P-labelled probe generated by PCR amplification of the nucleotide 233-798 region of the mVRF cDNA (see FIG. 9). Positive clones were plugged and re-screened with filters containing 400-800 pfu. Large scale phage preparations were prepared using the QIAGEN lambda kit or by ZnCl₂ purification (Santos, 1991).

[0192] Nucleotide Sequencing and Analysis

[0193] cDNAs were sequenced on both strands using a variety of vector-based and internal primers with Applied Biosystems Incorporated (ABI) dye terminator sequencing kits according to the manufacturer's specifications. Sequences were analysed on an ABI Model 373A automated DNA sequencer. Peptide homology alignments were performed using the program BESTFIT (GCG, Wisconsin).

[0194] Identification of Intron/Exon Boundaries

[0195] Identification of exon boundaries and flanking regions was carried out using PCR with mouse genomic DNA or mVRF genomic lambda clones as templates. The primers used in PCR to identify introns were derived from the hVRF sequence and to allow for potential human-mouse sequence mismatches annealing temperatures 5-10° C. below the estimated Tm were used. All PCR products were sized by agarose gel electrophoresis and gel purified using QIAquick spin columns (Qiagen) and the intron/exon boundaries were sequenced directly from these products. In addition, some splice junctions were sequenced from subcloned genomic fragments of MVRF. Intron/exon boundaries were identified by comparing cDNA and genomic DNA sequences.

[0196] Northern Analysis

[0197] Total cellular RNA was prepared from a panel of fresh normal adult mouse tisues (brain, kidney, liver, muscle) using the method of Chomczynski and Sacchi (1987). 20μg of total RNA were electrophoresed, transferred to a nylon membrane (Hybond N, Amersham) and hybridised under standard conditions (Church & Gilbert, 1984). Filters were washed at 65° C. in 0.1×SSC (20×SSC is 3M NaCl/0.3M trisodium citrate), 0.1% SDS and exposed to X-ray film with intensifying screens at −70° C. for 1-3 days.

[0198] Characterisation of mVRF cDNAs

[0199] Murine VRF homologues were isolated by screening a murine cDNA library with an hVRF cDNA clone. Five clones of sizes varying from 0.8-1.5 kb were recovered and sequenced. The cDNA sequences were complied to give a full length 1041 bp cDNA sequence covering the entire open reading frame (621 bp or 564 bp depending on the splice form, see below) and 3′ UTR (379 bp), as well as 163 bp of the 5′ UTR (FIG. 9).

[0200] The predicted initiation codon matched the position of the start codon in hVRF. One other out of frame ATG was located at position −47 and two termination codons were observed upstream (positions −9 and −33, respectively) and in-frame with the putative initiation codon.

[0201] The predicted N-terminal signal peptide of hVRF appears to be present in mVRF with 81% identity (17/21 amino acids). Peptide cleavage within mVRF is expected to occur after reside 21 (FIG. 10) These data suggest that mature mVRF is secreted and could therefore conceivably function as a growth factor.

[0202] As with hVRF, two open reading frames (ORFs) were detected in cDNAs isolated by library screening. Four of five clones were found to be alternatively spliced and lacked a 101 bp fragment homologous to exon 6 of hVRF. The predicted peptide sequences of the two isoforms of mVRF were determined and aligned with the corresponding human isoforms (FIG. 10).

[0203] The message encoding mVRF₁₈₆ contains a 621 bp ORF with coding sequences terminating at position +622, towards the end of exon 7 (FIG. 9). The smaller message encoding mVRF₁₆₇ actually terminates downstream of the +622 TAG site due to a frame shift resulting from splicing out of the 101 bp exon 6 and the introduction of a stop codon (TGA) at position +666, near the beginning of exon 8 (FIG. 9).

[0204] The mVRF₁₈₆ protein has strong homology to the amino and central portions of VEGF while the carboxyl end is completely divergent an is alanine rich. mVRF₁₆₇ possesses these similarities and also maintains homology to mVEGF right through to the C-terminus (FIG. 11). The overall homology of mVRF₁₆₇ to hVRF₁₆₇ was 85% identity and 92% similarity, respectively (FIG. 10). Likewise, homology between mVRF₁₆₇ and mVEGF (Breier et al, 1992) was 49% identity and 71% conservative amino acid substitution., respectively (FIG. 11).

[0205] A canonical vertebrate polyadenylation signal (AATAAA) (Birnstiel et al, 1986) was not present in the mVRF cDNA, however, the closely matching sequence GATAAA is present at similar positions in both mouse and human VRF cDNAs (FIG. 9). In contrast to hVRF, mVRF was found to contain an AC dinucleotide repeat at the extreme 3′ end of the 3′ UTR (nucleotide positions 998 to 1011, FIG. 9). Polymorphism of this repeat region was observed between some of the mVRF cDNAs, with the number of dinucleotides varying from 7 to 11.

[0206] Genomic Characterisation of mVRF

[0207] Intron/exon boundaries (Table 3) were mapped using primers which flanked sequences homologous to the corresponding hVRF boundaries. Introns I, III, IV and VI of mVRF (Table 3, FIG. 12) were smaller than the hVRF intervening sequences. The complete genomic sequence was compiled from the 5′ UTR of mVRF through to intron VI, the largest intervening region (2.2 kb), by sequencing amplified introns and cloned genomic portions of mVRF. There was only one major difference in genomic structure between mVRF and hVRF and that was the exon 7/intron VI boundary of mVRF was located 10 bp further downstream in relation to the cDNA sequence, hence exon 7 in mVRF is 10 bp longer than the corresponding exon in hVRF.

[0208] Exons 6 and 7 are contiguous in mVRF, as has been found to occur in the human homologue. The strong sequence homology between exon 6 of mVRF and hVRF (FIG. 10) suggests that this sequence is not a retained intronic sequence but rather encodes a functional part of the VRF₁₈₆ isoform.

[0209] General intron/exon structure is conserved between the various members of the VEGF gene family (VEGF, PIGF, hVRF) and therefore it is not surprising that the overall genomic organisation of the mVRF gene is very similar to these genes (FIG. 12).

[0210] Previous comparative mapping studies have shown that the region surrounding the human multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 disease locus on chromosome 11q13 is syntenic with the proximal segment of mouse chromosome 19 (Rochelle et al, 1992). Since the inventors have mapped the hVRF gene to within 1 kb of the human MEN] locus (see above) it is most likely that the murine VRF gene maps near the centromere of chromosome 19.

[0211] Expression Studies of mVRF

[0212] Northern analysis of RNA from adult mouse tissues (muscle, heart, lung and liver) showed that expression appears to be ubiquitous and occurs primarily as a major band of approximately 1.3 kb in size (FIG. 14). This is somewhat different to the pattern observed for hVRF in which two major bands of 2.0 and 5.5 kb have been identified in all tissues examined. The 1.3 kb murine message presumably corresponds to the shorter of the human transcripts and the size variation thereof is most likely due to a difference in the length of the respective 5′ UTRs.

EXAMPLE 6 Expression of Murine VEGF in Pre- and Post-Natal Mouse

[0213] Animals

[0214] Timed pregnant (n=4) and young adult (n=2) mice (C57 inbred strain, ALAB, Sweden) were sacrificed with carbon dioxide, and the relevant tissues were taken out and frozen on a chuck. Tissues were kept at −70° C. until further use. Two gestational ages was used in this study; embryonic day 8 (E8), 14 and E17.

[0215] In situ Hybridisation Histochemistry

[0216] In situ hybridisation was performed as previously described (Dagerlind et al, 1992). Briefly, transverse sections (14μm) were cut in a cryostat (Microm, Germany), thawed onto Probe-On slides (Fisher Scientific, USA) and stored in black sealed boxes at −70° C. until used. The sequences of the synthetic 42-mer oligonucleotides complementary to mRNA encoding mVRF were ACCACCACCTCCCTGGGCTGGCATGTGGCACGTGCATAAACG [SEQ ID NO: 11] (complementary to nt 120-161) and AGTTGTTTGACCACATTGCCCATGAGTTCCATGCTCAGAGGC [SEQ ID NO:12] (complementary to nt 162-203). To detect the two alternative splice forms oligonucleotide GATCCTGGGGCTGGAGTGGGATGGATGATGTCAGCTGG [SEQ ID NO:13] (complementary to nt xxx-xxx) and GCGGGCAGAGGATCCTGGGGCTGTCTGGCCTCACAGCACT [SEQ ID NO:14] were used. The probes were labeled at the 3'-end with deoxyadenosine-alpha[thio]triphosphate [³⁵S] (NEN, USA) using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (IBI, USA) to a specific activity of 7-10×10⁸ cpm/μg and hybridised to the sections without pretreatment for 16-18 h at 42° C. The hybridisation mixture contained: 50% v/v formamide, 4×SSC (1×SSC=0.15M NaCl and 0.015M sodium-citrate), 1×Denhardt's solution (0.02% each of polyvinyl-pyrrolidone, BSA and Ficoll), 1% v/v sarcosyl (N-lairoylsarcosine; Sigma), 0.02M phosphate buffer (pH 7.0), 10% w/v dextran sulfate (Pharmacia, Sweden), 250 μg/ml yeast tRNA (Sigma), 500 μg/ml sheared and heat denatured salmon sperm DNA (Sigma) and 200 mM dithiothreitol (DTT; LKB, Sweden). In control sections, the specificity of both probes was checked by adding a 20-fold excess of unlabeled probe to the hybridisation mixture. In addition, adjacent sections were hybridised with a probe unrelated to this study which gave a different expression pattern. Following hybridisation the sections were washed several times in 1×SSC at 55° C., dehydrated in ethanol and dipped in NTB2 nuclear track emulsion (Kodak, USA). After 3-5 weeks the sections were development in D-19 developer (Kodak, USA) and cover-slipped. In some cases, sections were opposed to an autoradiographic film (Beta-max autoradiography film Amersham Ltd, UK) prior to emulsion-dipping.

[0217] The four different probes gave identical hybridisation patterns in all tissues examined. Mouse VRF expression was detecting already in the E8 embryo, in which positive signal was recorded over structures most likely corresponding to the neuronal tube. In sagittal sections of E14 mouse embryo the strongest hybridisation signal was present over heart and in the nervous system, especially cerebral cortex (FIG. 14A).

[0218] A low level of expression was present in all other tissues. At a later gestational age, E17, a high mVRF MRNA signal was confined to he heart and brown fat tissue in the back and around the neck (FIG. 14B). Clearly positive hybridisation signals were present in the gray of the spinal cord and in the tongue (FIG. 14B).

[0219] Expression in the cerebral cortex was clearly reduced compared to day 14. The weak background expression seen in the E14 embryo in for example muscle, had decreased at this gestational age. A strong mVRF MRNA hybridisation signal was present solely over the heart and in the brown fat in the young adult mice (FIG. 14C). The signal over the heart was evenly distributed ove the entire ventricular wall, including the papillary muscles (FIG. 14D). In sections of heart tissue hybridised with an excess of cold probe, no specific labeling over background signal was recorded (FIG. 14E).

[0220] Apart from the heart, mVRF mRNA signal was present over certain tissues on the outside of the thoracic cage that morphologically resembled brown fat. This was verified with sudan black counterstaining, which showed a strong staining in the same areas (FIG. 15A and 15B). In transverse sections of adult mouse spinal cord, the mVRF probes gave a neuronal staining pattern over the gray matter (FIG. 15C). Counterstaining with toluidine (FIG. 15D) showed that motoneurons in the ventral horn (FIG. 15C and 15D), interneurons (FIG. 15C) in the deep part of the dorsal horn and around the central canal where to a large extent positive for mVRF MRNA.

EXAMPLE 7 Effects of VEGF and SOM175 Proteins on Chick Sensory Neurons

[0221] The effects of VEGF and SOM175 proteins on embryonic day 8 chick sensory neurons were determined using the method of Nurcombe et a! (1992). The neuronal assay was read at 48 hours using 2000 cells per assay well. The results were obtained using ³H-thymidine counts. The percentage survival of neurons, neurite outgrowth and average neurite length in μm were determined using NGF as positive control and various concentrations of VEGF, VEGF in the presence of heparin and VEGF in the presence of heparin and 5 μM, 5′-flurouracil (SFU). SFU kills glial cells.

[0222] The results are shown in FIG. 16. The results show that VEGF is effective in promoting neuronal survival but that this requires the presence of glial cells. FIG. 17 shows the results of the effect of VEGF and SOM175 on three types of chick glia. The glia tested were CNS glia, peripheral glia and CNS oligodendrocytes. Heparin was used as 10 μg/ml in all cultures and the assay was read at 24 hours. Results were measured in ³H-thymidine counts using 2000 cells per well.

[0223] The results show that for chick central and peripheral neurons, astroglia were markedly stimulated to proliferate by SOM175 in the presence of heparin but that chick oligodendrocytes showed negligible increase in the rate of division.

EXAMPLE 8 Effects of SOM175 Proteins on Mouse Primary and Central Neurons

[0224] The results in Example 7 show that VEGF isoform had an effect on chick primary and central neurons through the agency of the astroglial cells. Similar experiments were repeated in mouse cells.

Culture Conditions

[0225] Neuronal and gligal cells for all in vitro experiments were prepared and cultured according o the techniques described in “Methods in Neurosciences (Vol. 2): Cell Culture” Ed. P.M. Conn, Academic Press, San Diego, 1990, pp33-46 for astroglial cells, pp56-74 for oligodendroglial cells, and pp87-102 for central neurons.

[0226] Cells were plated onto 24-well culture clusters (Nunc) coated with poly-L-ornithine (0.1 mg/ml, 1h) at a density of 2,000 cells/well. After 48 hours in culture, neurons were counted in the wells under inverted phase light using well established techniques (Maruta et al. 1993) and glial cells assessed with [³H]thymidine uptake to monitor cell division rates as below. Heparin (10 g/ml, low molecular weight fraction, Sigma Chemical Corp.) was present at all times in the culture media except where noted. The neuronal cultures were supplemented with 5 mM 5-fluoro-2-deoxyuridine (Sigma) to suppress background glial growth.

[0227]³H-Thymidine Incorporation Assay for Glial Cell Proliferation

[0228] The cells were pulsed for 14h with ³H-thymidine (specific activity 103 μCi/ug) fraom a stock concentration of 0.1 mCi/ml in standard medium, giving a final incubating volume of 20 μl/well. The contents of the wells were harvested and absorbed onto nitrocellulose paper (Titertek, Flow). Remaining adherent cells were removed by incubation with trypsin/versene (CSL Limited, Victoria, Australia) for 5 min. This procedure was carried out twice. The nitrocellulose discs were washed in a standard Titertek harvester (Flow) using first distilled water, and then methanol. The nitrocellulose discs were dried, scintillation fluid (containing 5% v/v Triton-X) added and the discs counted on a scintillation counter.

[0229] Greatest activity was seen with preparations of SOM175 absent exon 6 (SOMΔX6) on mouse astroglial cell cultures, where there was a significant stimulus to their proliferation when delivered in conjunction with heparin (FIG. 16). Little stimulus was given to the proliferation of oligodendroglial cells (FIG. 17), and very little discemable potentiation of the survival response of isolated forebrain neurons (FIG. 18). The standard deviation on all three graphs for each point was less than 8%.

[0230] The viability of neurons can be maintained by promoting glial cell proliferation. Furthermore, SOMΔX6 is a good inducer of astroglial proliferation and may be expressed in conjunction with the formation of astroglial endfeet on central nervous system endothelial cells.

[0231] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps, features, compositions and compounds referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features. TABLE 3 Splice junctions of the murine VRF gene 5′UTR* ...... Exon 1 >223 bp CCCAGgtacgtgcgt Intron I 495 bp ttccccacagGCCCC Exon 2 43 bp GAAAGgtaataatag Intron II 288 bp ctgcccacagTGGTG Exon 3 197 bp TGCAGgtaccagggc Intron III 196 bp ctgagcacagATCCT Exon 4 74 bp TGCAGgtgccagccc Intron IV 182 bp ctcttttcagACCTA Exon 5 36 bp GACAGattcttggtg Intron V 191 bp ctcctcctagGGTTG Exon 6 101 bp (no intron) CCCACTCCAGCCCCA Exon 7 135 bp TGTAGgtaaggagtc Intron VI ˜2200 bp cactccccagGTGCC Exon 8 394 bp AGAGATGGAGACACT

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1 22 1 649 DNA Nucleotide Sequence of VEGF165 CDS (17)..(589) 1 tcgggcctcc gaaacc atg aac ttt ctg ctg tct tgg gtg cat tgg agc ctt 52 Met Asn Phe Leu Leu Ser Trp Val His Trp Ser Leu 1 5 10 gcc ttg ctg ctc tac ctc cac cat gcc aag tgg tcc cag gct gca ccc 100 Ala Leu Leu Leu Tyr Leu His His Ala Lys Trp Ser Gln Ala Ala Pro 15 20 25 atg gca gaa gga gga ggg cag aat cat cac gaa gtg gtg aag ttc atg 148 Met Ala Glu Gly Gly Gly Gln Asn His His Glu Val Val Lys Phe Met 30 35 40 gat gtc tat cag cgc agc tac tgc cat cca atc gag acc ctg gtg gac 196 Asp Val Tyr Gln Arg Ser Tyr Cys His Pro Ile Glu Thr Leu Val Asp 45 50 55 60 atc ttc cag gag tac cct gat gag atc gag tac atc ttc aag cca tcc 244 Ile Phe Gln Glu Tyr Pro Asp Glu Ile Glu Tyr Ile Phe Lys Pro Ser 65 70 75 tgt gtg ccc ctg atg cga tgc ggg ggc tgc tgc aat gac gag ggc ctg 292 Cys Val Pro Leu Met Arg Cys Gly Gly Cys Cys Asn Asp Glu Gly Leu 80 85 90 gag tgt gtg ccc act gag gag tcc aac atc acc atg cag att atg cgg 340 Glu Cys Val Pro Thr Glu Glu Ser Asn Ile Thr Met Gln Ile Met Arg 95 100 105 atc aaa cct cac caa ggc cag cac ata gga gag atg agc ttc cta cag 388 Ile Lys Pro His Gln Gly Gln His Ile Gly Glu Met Ser Phe Leu Gln 110 115 120 cac aac aaa tgt gaa tgc aga cca aag aaa gat aga gca aga caa gaa 436 His Asn Lys Cys Glu Cys Arg Pro Lys Lys Asp Arg Ala Arg Gln Glu 125 130 135 140 aat ccc tgt ggg cct tgc tca gag cgg aga aag cat ttg ttt gta caa 484 Asn Pro Cys Gly Pro Cys Ser Glu Arg Arg Lys His Leu Phe Val Gln 145 150 155 gat ccg cag acg tgt aaa tgt tcc tgc aaa aac aca gac tcg cgt tgc 532 Asp Pro Gln Thr Cys Lys Cys Ser Cys Lys Asn Thr Asp Ser Arg Cys 160 165 170 aag gcg agg cag ctt gag tta aac gaa cgt act tgc aga tgt gac aag 580 Lys Ala Arg Gln Leu Glu Leu Asn Glu Arg Thr Cys Arg Cys Asp Lys 175 180 185 ccg agg cgg tgagccgggc aggaggaagg agcctccctc agcgtttcgg 629 Pro Arg Arg 190 gaaccagatc tctcaccagg 649 2 191 PRT Nucleotide Sequence of VEGF165 2 Met Asn Phe Leu Leu Ser Trp Val His Trp Ser Leu Ala Leu Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 Tyr Leu His His Ala Lys Trp Ser Gln Ala Ala Pro Met Ala Glu Gly 20 25 30 Gly Gly Gln Asn His His Glu Val Val Lys Phe Met Asp Val Tyr Gln 35 40 45 Arg Ser Tyr Cys His Pro Ile Glu Thr Leu Val Asp Ile Phe Gln Glu 50 55 60 Tyr Pro Asp Glu Ile Glu Tyr Ile Phe Lys Pro Ser Cys Val Pro Leu 65 70 75 80 Met Arg Cys Gly Gly Cys Cys Asn Asp Glu Gly Leu Glu Cys Val Pro 85 90 95 Thr Glu Glu Ser Asn Ile Thr Met Gln Ile Met Arg Ile Lys Pro His 100 105 110 Gln Gly Gln His Ile Gly Glu Met Ser Phe Leu Gln His Asn Lys Cys 115 120 125 Glu Cys Arg Pro Lys Lys Asp Arg Ala Arg Gln Glu Asn Pro Cys Gly 130 135 140 Pro Cys Ser Glu Arg Arg Lys His Leu Phe Val Gln Asp Pro Gln Thr 145 150 155 160 Cys Lys Cys Ser Cys Lys Asn Thr Asp Ser Arg Cys Lys Ala Arg Gln 165 170 175 Leu Glu Leu Asn Glu Arg Thr Cys Arg Cys Asp Lys Pro Arg Arg 180 185 190 3 1094 DNA Nucleotide Sequence of SOM175 CDS (3)..(623) 3 cc atg agc cct ctg ctc cgc cgc ctg ctg ctc gcc gca ctc ctg cag 47 Met Ser Pro Leu Leu Arg Arg Leu Leu Leu Ala Ala Leu Leu Gln 1 5 10 15 ctg gcc ccc gcc cag gcc cct gtc tcc cag cct gat gcc cct ggc cac 95 Leu Ala Pro Ala Gln Ala Pro Val Ser Gln Pro Asp Ala Pro Gly His 20 25 30 cag agg aaa gtg gtg tca tgg ata gat gtg tat act cgc gct acc tgc 143 Gln Arg Lys Val Val Ser Trp Ile Asp Val Tyr Thr Arg Ala Thr Cys 35 40 45 cag ccc cgg gag gtg gtg gtg ccc ttg act gtg gag ctc atg ggc acc 191 Gln Pro Arg Glu Val Val Val Pro Leu Thr Val Glu Leu Met Gly Thr 50 55 60 gtg gcc aaa cag ctg gtg ccc agc tgc gtg act gtg cag cgc tgt ggt 239 Val Ala Lys Gln Leu Val Pro Ser Cys Val Thr Val Gln Arg Cys Gly 65 70 75 ggc tgc tgc cct gac gat ggc ctg gag tgt gtg ccc act ggg cag cac 287 Gly Cys Cys Pro Asp Asp Gly Leu Glu Cys Val Pro Thr Gly Gln His 80 85 90 95 caa gtc cgg atg cag atc ctc atg atc cgg tac ccg agc agt cag ctg 335 Gln Val Arg Met Gln Ile Leu Met Ile Arg Tyr Pro Ser Ser Gln Leu 100 105 110 ggg gag atg tcc ctg gaa gaa cac agc cag tgt gaa tgc aga cct aaa 383 Gly Glu Met Ser Leu Glu Glu His Ser Gln Cys Glu Cys Arg Pro Lys 115 120 125 aaa aag gac agt gct gtg aag cca gac agg gct gcc act ccc cac cac 431 Lys Lys Asp Ser Ala Val Lys Pro Asp Arg Ala Ala Thr Pro His His 130 135 140 cgt ccc cag ccc cgt tct gtt ccg ggc tgg gac tct gcc ccc gga gca 479 Arg Pro Gln Pro Arg Ser Val Pro Gly Trp Asp Ser Ala Pro Gly Ala 145 150 155 ccc tcc cca gct gac atc acc cat ccc act cca gcc cca ggc ccc tct 527 Pro Ser Pro Ala Asp Ile Thr His Pro Thr Pro Ala Pro Gly Pro Ser 160 165 170 175 gcc cac gct gca ccc agc acc acc agc gcc ctg acc ccc gga cct gcc 575 Ala His Ala Ala Pro Ser Thr Thr Ser Ala Leu Thr Pro Gly Pro Ala 180 185 190 gct gcc gct gcc gac gcc gca gct tcc tcc gtt gcc aag ggc ggg gct 623 Ala Ala Ala Ala Asp Ala Ala Ala Ser Ser Val Ala Lys Gly Gly Ala 195 200 205 tagagctcaa cccagacacc tgcaggtgcc ggaagctgcg aaggtgacac atggcttttc 683 agactcagca gggtgacttg cctcagaggc tatatcccag tgggggaaca aaggggagcc 743 tggtaaaaaa cagccaagcc cccaagacct cagcccaggc agaagctgct ctaggacctg 803 ggcctctcag agggctcttc tgccatccct tgtctccctg aggccatcat caaacaggac 863 agagttggaa gaggagactg ggaggcagca agaggggtca cataccagct caggggagaa 923 tggagtactg tctcagtttc taaccactct gtgcaagtaa gcatcttaca actggctctt 983 cctcccctca ctaagaagac ccaaacctct gcataatggg atttgggctt tggtacaaga 1043 actgtgaccc ccaaccctga taaaagagat ggaaggaaaa aaaaaaaaaa a 1094 4 207 PRT Nucleotide Sequence of SOM175 4 Met Ser Pro Leu Leu Arg Arg Leu Leu Leu Ala Ala Leu Leu Gln Leu 1 5 10 15 Ala Pro Ala Gln Ala Pro Val Ser Gln Pro Asp Ala Pro Gly His Gln 20 25 30 Arg Lys Val Val Ser Trp Ile Asp Val Tyr Thr Arg Ala Thr Cys Gln 35 40 45 Pro Arg Glu Val Val Val Pro Leu Thr Val Glu Leu Met Gly Thr Val 50 55 60 Ala Lys Gln Leu Val Pro Ser Cys Val Thr Val Gln Arg Cys Gly Gly 65 70 75 80 Cys Cys Pro Asp Asp Gly Leu Glu Cys Val Pro Thr Gly Gln His Gln 85 90 95 Val Arg Met Gln Ile Leu Met Ile Arg Tyr Pro Ser Ser Gln Leu Gly 100 105 110 Glu Met Ser Leu Glu Glu His Ser Gln Cys Glu Cys Arg Pro Lys Lys 115 120 125 Lys Asp Ser Ala Val Lys Pro Asp Arg Ala Ala Thr Pro His His Arg 130 135 140 Pro Gln Pro Arg Ser Val Pro Gly Trp Asp Ser Ala Pro Gly Ala Pro 145 150 155 160 Ser Pro Ala Asp Ile Thr His Pro Thr Pro Ala Pro Gly Pro Ser Ala 165 170 175 His Ala Ala Pro Ser Thr Thr Ser Ala Leu Thr Pro Gly Pro Ala Ala 180 185 190 Ala Ala Ala Asp Ala Ala Ala Ser Ser Val Ala Lys Gly Gly Ala 195 200 205 5 993 DNA Nuc. Seq. of SOM175 Absent Exon 6 CDS (3)..(566) 5 cc atg agc cct ctg ctc cgc cgc ctg ctg ctc gcc gca ctc ctg cag 47 Met Ser Pro Leu Leu Arg Arg Leu Leu Leu Ala Ala Leu Leu Gln 1 5 10 15 ctg gcc ccc gcc cag gcc cct gtc tcc cag cct gat gcc cct ggc cac 95 Leu Ala Pro Ala Gln Ala Pro Val Ser Gln Pro Asp Ala Pro Gly His 20 25 30 cag agg aaa gtg gtg tca tgg ata gat gtg tat act cgc gct acc tgc 143 Gln Arg Lys Val Val Ser Trp Ile Asp Val Tyr Thr Arg Ala Thr Cys 35 40 45 cag ccc cgg gag gtg gtg gtg ccc ttg act gtg gag ctc atg ggc acc 191 Gln Pro Arg Glu Val Val Val Pro Leu Thr Val Glu Leu Met Gly Thr 50 55 60 gtg gcc aaa cag ctg gtg ccc agc tgc gtg act gtg cag cgc tgt ggt 239 Val Ala Lys Gln Leu Val Pro Ser Cys Val Thr Val Gln Arg Cys Gly 65 70 75 ggc tgc tgc cct gac gat ggc ctg gag tgt gtg ccc act ggg cag cac 287 Gly Cys Cys Pro Asp Asp Gly Leu Glu Cys Val Pro Thr Gly Gln His 80 85 90 95 caa gtc cgg atg cag atc ctc atg atc cgg tac ccg agc agt cag ctg 335 Gln Val Arg Met Gln Ile Leu Met Ile Arg Tyr Pro Ser Ser Gln Leu 100 105 110 ggg gag atg tcc ctg gaa gaa cac agc cag tgt gaa tgc aga cct aaa 383 Gly Glu Met Ser Leu Glu Glu His Ser Gln Cys Glu Cys Arg Pro Lys 115 120 125 aaa aag gac agt gct gtg aag cca gat agc ccc agg ccc ctc tgc cca 431 Lys Lys Asp Ser Ala Val Lys Pro Asp Ser Pro Arg Pro Leu Cys Pro 130 135 140 cgc tgc acc cag cac cac cag cgc cct gac ccc cgg acc tgc cgc tgc 479 Arg Cys Thr Gln His His Gln Arg Pro Asp Pro Arg Thr Cys Arg Cys 145 150 155 cgc tgc cga cgc cgc agc ttc ctc cgt tgc caa ggg cgg ggc tta gag 527 Arg Cys Arg Arg Arg Ser Phe Leu Arg Cys Gln Gly Arg Gly Leu Glu 160 165 170 175 ctc aac cca gac acc tgc agg tgc cgg aag ctg cga agg tgacacatgg 576 Leu Asn Pro Asp Thr Cys Arg Cys Arg Lys Leu Arg Arg 180 185 cttttcagac tcagcagggt gacttgcctc agaggctata tcccagtggg ggaacaaagg 636 ggagcctggt aaaaaacagc caagccccca agacctcagc ccaggcagaa gctgctctag 696 gacctgggcc tctcagaggg ctcttctgcc atcccttgtc tccctgaggc catcatcaaa 756 caggacagag ttggaagagg agactgggag gcagcaagag gggtcacata ccagctcagg 816 ggagaatgga gtactgtctc agtttctaac cactctgtgc aagtaagcat cttacaactg 876 gctcttcctc ccctcactaa gaagacccaa acctctgcat aatgggattt gggctttggt 936 acaagaactg tgacccccaa ccctgataaa agagatggaa ggaaaaaaaa aaaaaaa 993 6 188 PRT Nuc. Seq. of SOM175 Absent Exon 6 6 Met Ser Pro Leu Leu Arg Arg Leu Leu Leu Ala Ala Leu Leu Gln Leu 1 5 10 15 Ala Pro Ala Gln Ala Pro Val Ser Gln Pro Asp Ala Pro Gly His Gln 20 25 30 Arg Lys Val Val Ser Trp Ile Asp Val Tyr Thr Arg Ala Thr Cys Gln 35 40 45 Pro Arg Glu Val Val Val Pro Leu Thr Val Glu Leu Met Gly Thr Val 50 55 60 Ala Lys Gln Leu Val Pro Ser Cys Val Thr Val Gln Arg Cys Gly Gly 65 70 75 80 Cys Cys Pro Asp Asp Gly Leu Glu Cys Val Pro Thr Gly Gln His Gln 85 90 95 Val Arg Met Gln Ile Leu Met Ile Arg Tyr Pro Ser Ser Gln Leu Gly 100 105 110 Glu Met Ser Leu Glu Glu His Ser Gln Cys Glu Cys Arg Pro Lys Lys 115 120 125 Lys Asp Ser Ala Val Lys Pro Asp Ser Pro Arg Pro Leu Cys Pro Arg 130 135 140 Cys Thr Gln His His Gln Arg Pro Asp Pro Arg Thr Cys Arg Cys Arg 145 150 155 160 Cys Arg Arg Arg Ser Phe Leu Arg Cys Gln Gly Arg Gly Leu Glu Leu 165 170 175 Asn Pro Asp Thr Cys Arg Cys Arg Lys Leu Arg Arg 180 185 7 858 DNA Nuc. Seq. of SOM175 Absent Exons 6&7 CDS (3)..(431) 7 cc atg agc cct ctg ctc cgc cgc ctg ctg ctc gcc gca ctc ctg cag 47 Met Ser Pro Leu Leu Arg Arg Leu Leu Leu Ala Ala Leu Leu Gln 1 5 10 15 ctg gcc ccc gcc cag gcc cct gtc tcc cag cct gat gcc cct ggc cac 95 Leu Ala Pro Ala Gln Ala Pro Val Ser Gln Pro Asp Ala Pro Gly His 20 25 30 cag agg aaa gtg gtg tca tgg ata gat gtg tat act cgc gct acc tgc 143 Gln Arg Lys Val Val Ser Trp Ile Asp Val Tyr Thr Arg Ala Thr Cys 35 40 45 cag ccc cgg gag gtg gtg gtg ccc ttg act gtg gag ctc atg ggc acc 191 Gln Pro Arg Glu Val Val Val Pro Leu Thr Val Glu Leu Met Gly Thr 50 55 60 gtg gcc aaa cag ctg gtg ccc agc tgc gtg act gtg cag cgc tgt ggt 239 Val Ala Lys Gln Leu Val Pro Ser Cys Val Thr Val Gln Arg Cys Gly 65 70 75 ggc tgc tgc cct gac gat ggc ctg gag tgt gtg ccc act ggg cag cac 287 Gly Cys Cys Pro Asp Asp Gly Leu Glu Cys Val Pro Thr Gly Gln His 80 85 90 95 caa gtc cgg atg cag atc ctc atg atc cgg tac ccg agc agt cag ctg 335 Gln Val Arg Met Gln Ile Leu Met Ile Arg Tyr Pro Ser Ser Gln Leu 100 105 110 ggg gag atg tcc ctg gaa gaa cac agc cag tgt gaa tgc aga cct aaa 383 Gly Glu Met Ser Leu Glu Glu His Ser Gln Cys Glu Cys Arg Pro Lys 115 120 125 aaa aag gac agt gct gtg aag cca gat agg tgc cgg aag ctg cga agg 431 Lys Lys Asp Ser Ala Val Lys Pro Asp Arg Cys Arg Lys Leu Arg Arg 130 135 140 tgacacatgg cttttcagac tcagcagggt gacttgcctc agaggctata tcccagtggg 491 ggaacaaagg ggagcctggt aaaaaacagc caagccccca agacctcagc ccaggcagaa 551 gctgctctag gacctgggcc tctcagaggg ctcttctgcc atcccttgtc tccctgaggc 611 catcatcaaa caggacagag ttggaagagg agactgggag gcagcaagag gggtcacata 671 ccagctcagg ggagaatgga gtactgtctc agtttctaac cactctgtgc aagtaagcat 731 cttacaactg gctcttcctc ccctcactaa gaagacccaa acctctgcat aatgggattt 791 gggctttggt acaagaactg tgacccccaa ccctgataaa agagatggaa ggaaaaaaaa 851 aaaaaaa 858 8 143 PRT Nuc. Seq. of SOM175 Absent Exons 6&7 8 Met Ser Pro Leu Leu Arg Arg Leu Leu Leu Ala Ala Leu Leu Gln Leu 1 5 10 15 Ala Pro Ala Gln Ala Pro Val Ser Gln Pro Asp Ala Pro Gly His Gln 20 25 30 Arg Lys Val Val Ser Trp Ile Asp Val Tyr Thr Arg Ala Thr Cys Gln 35 40 45 Pro Arg Glu Val Val Val Pro Leu Thr Val Glu Leu Met Gly Thr Val 50 55 60 Ala Lys Gln Leu Val Pro Ser Cys Val Thr Val Gln Arg Cys Gly Gly 65 70 75 80 Cys Cys Pro Asp Asp Gly Leu Glu Cys Val Pro Thr Gly Gln His Gln 85 90 95 Val Arg Met Gln Ile Leu Met Ile Arg Tyr Pro Ser Ser Gln Leu Gly 100 105 110 Glu Met Ser Leu Glu Glu His Ser Gln Cys Glu Cys Arg Pro Lys Lys 115 120 125 Lys Asp Ser Ala Val Lys Pro Asp Arg Cys Arg Lys Leu Arg Arg 130 135 140 9 910 DNA Nuc. Seq. of SOM175 Absent Exon 4 CDS (3)..(305) 9 cc atg agc cct ctg ctc cgc cgc ctg ctg ctc gcc gca ctc ctg cag 47 Met Ser Pro Leu Leu Arg Arg Leu Leu Leu Ala Ala Leu Leu Gln 1 5 10 15 ctg gcc ccc gcc cag gcc cct gtc tcc cag cct gat gcc cct ggc cac 95 Leu Ala Pro Ala Gln Ala Pro Val Ser Gln Pro Asp Ala Pro Gly His 20 25 30 ycag agg aaa gtg gtg tca tgg ata gat gtg tat act cgc gct acc tgc 143 Gln Arg Lys Val Val Ser Trp Ile Asp Val Tyr Thr Arg Ala Thr Cys 35 40 45 cag ccc cgg gag gtg gtg gtg ccc ttg act gtg gag ctc atg ggc acc 191 Gln Pro Arg Glu Val Val Val Pro Leu Thr Val Glu Leu Met Gly Thr 50 55 60 gtg gcc aaa cag ctg gtg ccc agc tgc gtg act gtg cag cgc tgt ggt 239 Val Ala Lys Gln Leu Val Pro Ser Cys Val Thr Val Gln Arg Cys Gly 65 70 75 ggc tgc tgc cct gac gat ggc ctg gag tgt gtg ccc act ggg cag cac 287 Gly Cys Cys Pro Asp Asp Gly Leu Glu Cys Val Pro Thr Gly Gln His 80 85 90 95 caa gtc cgg atg cag acc taaaaaaaag gacagtgctg tgaagccaga 335 Gln Val Arg Met Gln Thr 100 cagggctgcc actccccacc accgtcccca gccccgttct gttccgggct gggactctgc 395 ccccggagca ccctccccag ctgacatcac ccatcccact ccagccccag gcccctctgc 455 ccacgctgca cccagcacca ccagcgccct gacccccgga cctgccgctg ccgctgccga 515 cgccgcagct tcctccgttg ccaagggcgg ggcttagagc tcaacccaga cacctgcagg 575 tgccggaagc tgcgaaggtg acacatggct tttcagactc agcagggtga cttgcctcag 635 aggctatatc ccagtgggga acaaagagga gcctggtaaa aaacagccaa gcccccaaga 695 cctcagccca ggcagaagct gctctaggac ctgggcctct cagagggctc ttctgccatc 755 ccttgtctcc ctgaggccat catcaaacag gacagagttg gaagaggaga ctgggaggca 815 gcaagagggg tcacatacca gctcagggga gaatggagta ctgtctcagt ttctaaccac 875 tctgtgcaag taagcatctt acaactggct cttcc 910 10 101 PRT Nuc. Seq. of SOM175 Absent Exon 4 10 Met Ser Pro Leu Leu Arg Arg Leu Leu Leu Ala Ala Leu Leu Gln Leu 1 5 10 15 Ala Pro Ala Gln Ala Pro Val Ser Gln Pro Asp Ala Pro Gly His Gln 20 25 30 Arg Lys Val Val Ser Trp Ile Asp Val Tyr Thr Arg Ala Thr Cys Gln 35 40 45 Pro Arg Glu Val Val Val Pro Leu Thr Val Glu Leu Met Gly Thr Val 50 55 60 Ala Lys Gln Leu Val Pro Ser Cys Val Thr Val Gln Arg Cys Gly Gly 65 70 75 80 Cys Cys Pro Asp Asp Gly Leu Glu Cys Val Pro Thr Gly Gln His Gln 85 90 95 Val Arg Met Gln Thr 100 11 42 DNA Oligonucleotide 11 accaccacct ccctgggctg gcatgtggca cgtgcataaa cg 42 12 42 DNA Oligonucleotide 12 agttgtttga ccacattgcc catgagttcc atgctcagag gc 42 13 38 DNA Oligonucleotide 13 gatcctgggg ctggagtggg atggatgatg tcagctgg 38 14 40 DNA Oligonucleotide 14 gcgggcagag gatcctgggg ctgtctggcc tcacagcact 40 15 236 DNA Human SOM175 15 atgaggggcc aggtacgtga ggtctcccac aggcccctgg aaagaatact tacatctgct 60 cccatggtgt atgcaggtcc gagatgctga atacagatcc tcatgcaggt gtcaggcaac 120 ttttcaagac ctaaagacag gtgagtcttt ctcctccgta ggctgcctcc agccccaggc 180 cccccactcc agccccagac ccagacacct gtagccctgc tcaggtgccg aggtga 236 16 1242 DNA mVRF CDS (166)..(789) 16 gcacgagctc aggccgtcgc tgcggcgctg cgttgcgctg cctgcgccca gggctcggga 60 gggggccgcg gaggagccgc cccctgcgcc ccgccccggg tccccgggtc cgcgccatgg 120 ggcggctctg gctgaccccc ccccacaccg ccgggctagg gcccg atg agc ccc ctg 177 Met Ser Pro Leu 1 ctg cgt cgc ctg ctg ctt gtt gca ctg ctg cag ctg gct cgc acc cag 225 Leu Arg Arg Leu Leu Leu Val Ala Leu Leu Gln Leu Ala Arg Thr Gln 5 10 15 20 gcc cct gtg tcc cag ttt gat ggc ccc agt cac cag aag aaa gtg gtg 273 Ala Pro Val Ser Gln Phe Asp Gly Pro Ser His Gln Lys Lys Val Val 25 30 35 cca tgg ata gac gtt tat gca cgt gcc aca tgc cag ccc agg gag gtg 321 Pro Trp Ile Asp Val Tyr Ala Arg Ala Thr Cys Gln Pro Arg Glu Val 40 45 50 gtg gtg cct ctg agc atg gaa ctc atg ggc aat gtg gtc aaa caa cta 369 Val Val Pro Leu Ser Met Glu Leu Met Gly Asn Val Val Lys Gln Leu 55 60 65 gtg ccc agc tgt gtg act gtg cag cgc tgt ggt ggc tgc tgc cct gac 417 Val Pro Ser Cys Val Thr Val Gln Arg Cys Gly Gly Cys Cys Pro Asp 70 75 80 gat ggc ctg gaa tgt gtg ccc act ggg caa cac caa gtc cga atg cag 465 Asp Gly Leu Glu Cys Val Pro Thr Gly Gln His Gln Val Arg Met Gln 85 90 95 100 atc ctc atg atc cag tac ccg agc agt cag ctg ggg gag atg tcc ctg 513 Ile Leu Met Ile Gln Tyr Pro Ser Ser Gln Leu Gly Glu Met Ser Leu 105 110 115 gga gaa cac agc caa tgt gaa tgc aga cct aaa aaa aag gag agt gct 561 Gly Glu His Ser Gln Cys Glu Cys Arg Pro Lys Lys Lys Glu Ser Ala 120 125 130 gtg agg cca gac agg gtt gcc ata ccc cac cac cgt ccc cag ccc cgc 609 Val Arg Pro Asp Arg Val Ala Ile Pro His His Arg Pro Gln Pro Arg 135 140 145 tct gtt ccg ggc tgg gac tct acc ccg gga gca ccc tcc cca gct gac 657 Ser Val Pro Gly Trp Asp Ser Thr Pro Gly Ala Pro Ser Pro Ala Asp 150 155 160 atc atc cat ccc act cca gcc cca gga tcc tct gcc cgc ctt gca ccc 705 Ile Ile His Pro Thr Pro Ala Pro Gly Ser Ser Ala Arg Leu Ala Pro 165 170 175 180 agc gcc gcc aac gcc ctg acc ccc gga cct gcc gtt gcc gct gta gac 753 Ser Ala Ala Asn Ala Leu Thr Pro Gly Pro Ala Val Ala Ala Val Asp 185 190 195 gcc gcc gct tcc tcc att gcc aag ggc ggg gct tag agctcaaccc 799 Ala Ala Ala Ser Ser Ile Ala Lys Gly Gly Ala 200 205 agacacctgt aggtgccgga agccgcgaaa gtgacaagct gctttccaga ctccacgggc 859 ccggctgctt ttatggccct gcttcacagg gagaagagtg gagcacaggc gtaacctcct 919 cagtctggga ggtcactgcc ccaggacctg gaccttttag agagctctct cgccatcttt 979 tatctcccag agctgccatc taacaattgt caaggaacct catgtctcac ctcaggggcc 1039 agggtactct ctcacttaac caccctggtc aagtgagcat cttctggctg gctgtctccc 1099 ctcactatga aaaccccaaa cttctaccaa taacgggatt tgggttctgt tatgataact 1159 gtgacacaca cacacactca cactctgata aaagagatgg agacactaaa aaaaaaaaaa 1219 aaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaa aaa 1242 17 207 PRT mVRF 17 Met Ser Pro Leu Leu Arg Arg Leu Leu Leu Val Ala Leu Leu Gln Leu 1 5 10 15 Ala Arg Thr Gln Ala Pro Val Ser Gln Phe Asp Gly Pro Ser His Gln 20 25 30 Lys Lys Val Val Pro Trp Ile Asp Val Tyr Ala Arg Ala Thr Cys Gln 35 40 45 Pro Arg Glu Val Val Val Pro Leu Ser Met Glu Leu Met Gly Asn Val 50 55 60 Val Lys Gln Leu Val Pro Ser Cys Val Thr Val Gln Arg Cys Gly Gly 65 70 75 80 Cys Cys Pro Asp Asp Gly Leu Glu Cys Val Pro Thr Gly Gln His Gln 85 90 95 Val Arg Met Gln Ile Leu Met Ile Gln Tyr Pro Ser Ser Gln Leu Gly 100 105 110 Glu Met Ser Leu Gly Glu His Ser Gln Cys Glu Cys Arg Pro Lys Lys 115 120 125 Lys Glu Ser Ala Val Arg Pro Asp Arg Val Ala Ile Pro His His Arg 130 135 140 Pro Gln Pro Arg Ser Val Pro Gly Trp Asp Ser Thr Pro Gly Ala Pro 145 150 155 160 Ser Pro Ala Asp Ile Ile His Pro Thr Pro Ala Pro Gly Ser Ser Ala 165 170 175 Arg Leu Ala Pro Ser Ala Ala Asn Ala Leu Thr Pro Gly Pro Ala Val 180 185 190 Ala Ala Val Asp Ala Ala Ala Ser Ser Ile Ala Lys Gly Gly Ala 195 200 205 18 188 PRT mVRF167 18 Met Ser Pro Leu Leu Arg Arg Leu Leu Leu Val Ala Leu Leu Gln Leu 1 5 10 15 Ala Arg Thr Gln Ala Pro Val Ser Gln Phe Asp Gly Pro Ser His Gln 20 25 30 Lys Lys Val Val Pro Trp Ile Asp Val Tyr Ala Arg Ala Thr Cys Gln 35 40 45 Pro Arg Glu Val Val Val Pro Leu Ser Met Glu Leu Met Gly Asn Val 50 55 60 Val Lys Gln Leu Val Pro Ser Cys Val Thr Val Gln Arg Cys Gly Gly 65 70 75 80 Cys Cys Pro Asp Asp Gly Leu Glu Cys Val Pro Thr Gly Gln His Gln 85 90 95 Val Arg Met Gln Ile Leu Met Ile Gln Tyr Pro Ser Ser Gln Leu Gly 100 105 110 Glu Met Ser Leu Gly Glu His Ser Gln Cys Glu Cys Arg Pro Lys Lys 115 120 125 Lys Glu Ser Ala Val Arg Pro Asp Ser Pro Arg Ile Leu Cys Pro Pro 130 135 140 Cys Thr Gln Arg Arg Gln Arg Pro Asp Pro Arg Thr Cys Arg Cys Arg 145 150 155 160 Cys Arg Arg Arg Arg Phe Leu His Cys Gln Gly Arg Gly Leu Glu Leu 165 170 175 Asn Pro Asp Thr Cys Arg Cys Arg Lys Pro Arg Lys 180 185 19 188 PRT hVRF167 19 Met Ser Pro Leu Leu Arg Arg Leu Leu Leu Ala Ala Leu Leu Gln Leu 1 5 10 15 Ala Pro Ala Gln Ala Pro Val Ser Gln Pro Asp Ala Pro Gly His Gln 20 25 30 Arg Lys Val Val Ser Trp Ile Asp Val Tyr Thr Arg Ala Thr Cys Gln 35 40 45 Pro Arg Glu Val Val Val Pro Leu Thr Val Glu Leu Met Gly Thr Val 50 55 60 Ala Lys Gln Leu Val Pro Ser Cys Val Thr Val Gln Arg Cys Gly Gly 65 70 75 80 Cys Cys Pro Asp Asp Gly Leu Glu Cys Val Pro Thr Gly Gln His Gln 85 90 95 Val Arg Met Gln Ile Leu Met Ile Arg Tyr Pro Ser Ser Gln Leu Gly 100 105 110 Glu Met Ser Leu Glu Glu His Ser Gln Cys Glu Cys Arg Pro Lys Lys 115 120 125 Lys Asp Ser Ala Val Lys Pro Asp Ser Pro Arg Pro Leu Cys Pro Arg 130 135 140 Cys Thr Gln His His Gln Arg Pro Asp Pro Arg Thr Cys Arg Cys Arg 145 150 155 160 Cys Arg Arg Arg Ser Phe Leu Arg Cys Gln Gly Arg Gly Leu Glu Leu 165 170 175 Asn Pro Asp Thr Cys Arg Cys Arg Lys Leu Arg Arg 180 185 20 71 PRT mVRF186 20 Arg Val Ala Ile Pro His His Arg Pro Gln Pro Arg Ser Val Pro Gly 1 5 10 15 Trp Asp Ser Thr Pro Gly Ala Pro Ser Pro Ala Asp Ile Ile His Pro 20 25 30 Thr Pro Ala Pro Gly Ser Ser Ala Arg Leu Ala Pro Ser Ala Ala Asn 35 40 45 Ala Leu Thr Pro Gly Pro Ala Val Ala Ala Val Asp Ala Ala Ala Ser 50 55 60 Ser Ile Ala Lys Gly Gly Ala 65 70 21 71 PRT hVRF186 21 Arg Ala Ala Thr Pro His His Arg Pro Gln Pro Arg Ser Val Pro Gly 1 5 10 15 Trp Asp Ser Ala Pro Gly Ala Pro Ser Pro Ala Asp Ile Thr His Pro 20 25 30 Thr Pro Ala Pro Gly Pro Ser Ala His Ala Ala Pro Ser Thr Thr Ser 35 40 45 Ala Leu Thr Pro Gly Pro Ala Ala Ala Ala Ala Asp Ala Ala Ala Ser 50 55 60 Ser Val Ala Lys Gly Gly Ala 65 70 22 214 PRT mVEGF188 22 Met Asn Phe Leu Leu Ser Trp Val His Trp Thr Leu Ala Leu Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 Tyr Leu His His Ala Lys Trp Ser Gln Ala Ala Pro Thr Thr Glu Gly 20 25 30 Glu Gln Lys Ser His Glu Val Ile Lys Phe Met Asp Val Tyr Gln Arg 35 40 45 Ser Tyr Cys Arg Pro Ile Glu Thr Leu Val Asp Ile Phe Gln Glu Tyr 50 55 60 Pro Asp Glu Ile Glu Tyr Ile Phe Lys Pro Ser Cys Val Pro Leu Met 65 70 75 80 Arg Cys Ala Gly Cys Cys Asn Asp Glu Ala Leu Glu Cys Val Pro Thr 85 90 95 Ser Glu Ser Asn Ile Thr Met Gln Ile Met Arg Ile Lys Pro His Gln 100 105 110 Ser Gln His Ile Gly Glu Met Ser Phe Leu Gln His Ser Arg Cys Glu 115 120 125 Cys Arg Pro Lys Lys Asp Arg Thr Lys Pro Glu Lys Lys Ser Val Arg 130 135 140 Gly Lys Gly Lys Gly Gln Lys Arg Lys Arg Lys Lys Ser Arg Phe Lys 145 150 155 160 Ser Trp Ser Val His Cys Glu Pro Cys Ser Glu Arg Arg Lys His Leu 165 170 175 Phe Val Gln Asp Pro Gln Thr Cys Lys Cys Ser Cys Lys Asn Thr Asp 180 185 190 Ser Arg Cys Lys Ala Arg Gln Leu Glu Leu Asn Glu Arg Thr Cys Arg 195 200 205 Cys Asp Lys Pro Arg Arg 210 

1. A biologically isolated proteinaceous molecule having the following characteristics: (i) comprises an amino acid sequence having at least about 15% similarity but at least about 5% dissimilarity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; (ii) exhibits at least one property in common with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
 2. A proteinaceous molecule according to claim 1 wherein the molecule exhibits at least one of the following properties. (i) an ability to induce vascular endothelial cells; (ii) an ability to interact with flt-1/flk-1 family of receptors; and/or (iii) an ability to induce cell migration, cell survival and/or an increase in intracellular lavels of alkaline phosphatase.
 3. A proteinaceous molecule according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said molecule has the capacity to induce astroglial proliferation.
 4. A proteinaceous molecule according to claim 1 wherein said molecule is of human origin.
 5. A proteinaceous molecule according to claim 1 wherein said molecule is of non-human origin.
 6. A proteinaceous molecule according to claim 5 wherein said molecule is of livestock animal, companion animal, laboratory test animal, avian, fish or reptilian origin.
 7. A proteinaceous molecule according to claim 5 wherein said molecule is encoded by a gene located at chromosome 11q13.
 8. A proteinaceous molecule according to claim 1 wherein the percentage similarity to SEQ ID NO:2 is at least about 30%.
 9. A proteinaceous molecule according to claim 1 wherein the percentage similarity to SEQ ID NO:2 is at least about 40%.
 10. A proteinaceous molecule according to claim 1 wherein the percentage similarity to SEQ ID NO:2 is at least about 60-70%.
 11. A proteinaceous molecule according to claim 1 comprising a sequence of amino acids as set forth in SEQ ID NO:4 or a part, fragment, derivative or analogue thereof.
 12. A proteinaceous molecule according to claim 1 comprising an amino acid sequence substantially set forth in SEQ ID NO:6 or a part, fragment, derivative or analogue thereof.
 13. A proteinaceous molecule according to claim 1 comprising an amino acid sequence substantially set forth in SEQ ID NO:8 or a part, fragment, derivative or analogue thereof.
 14. A proteinaceous molecule according to claim 1 comprising an amino acid sequence substantially set forth in SEQ ID NO:10 or a part, fragment, derivative or analogue thereof.
 15. A recombinant molecule having the following characteristics: (i) an amino acid sequence substantially as set forth in SEQ ID NO:4 or having at least about 15% similarity to but at least about 5% dissimilarity to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; (ii) exhibits at least one biological property in common with VEGF.
 16. A recombinant molecule having the following characteristics: (i) an amino acid sequence substantially as set forth in SEQ ID NO:6 or having at least about 15% similarity to but at least about 5% dissimilarity to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; (ii) exhibits at least one biological property in common with VEGF.
 17. A recombinant molecule having the following characteristics: (i) an amino acid sequence substantially as set forth in SEQ ID NO:8 or having at least about 15% similarity to but at least about 5% dissimilarity to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; (ii) exhibits at least one biological property in common with VEGF.
 18. A recombinant molecule having the following characteristics: (i) an amino acid sequence substantially as set forth in SEQ ID NO:10 or having at least about 15% similarity to but at least about 5% dissimilarity to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; (ii) exhibits at least one biological property in common with VEGF.
 19. A recombinant molecule according to claim 15 or 16 or 17 or 18 having at least one of the following properties: (a) an ability to induce vascular endothelial cells; (b) an ability to interact with ftl1/flki family of receptors; (c) an ability to induce cell migration, cell survival and/or increase intracellular levels of alkaline phosphatase.
 20. A recombinant molecule according to claim 15 or 16 or 17 or 18 having the capacity to induce astroglial proliferation.
 21. A recombinant molecule according to claim 20 wherein the molecule comprises an amino acid sequence substantially as set forth in SEQ ID NO:6.
 22. A peptide fragment corresponding to a portion of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4 or a derivative or chemical equivalent thereof.
 23. A peptide fragment according to claim 22 having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:6 or a chemical equivalent thereof.
 24. A peptide fragment according to claim 22 having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:8 or a chemical equivalent thereof.
 25. A peptide fragment according to claim 22 having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:10 or a chemical equivalent thereof.
 26. A nucleic acid molecule comprising a sequence of nucleotides or complementary to a sequence encoding a proteinaceous molecule having the following characteristics: (i) comprises an amino acid sequence having at least about 15% similarity but at least about 5% dissimilarity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; (ii) exhibits at least one property in common with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
 27. A nucleic acid molecule according to claim 26 wherein the proteinaceous molecule exhibits at least one of the following properties: (i) an ability to induce vascular endothelial cells; (ii) an ability to interact with flt-1/flk-1 family of receptors; and/or (iii) an ability to induce cell migration, cell survival and/or an increase in intracellular lavels of alkaline phosphatase.
 28. A nucleic acid molecule according to claim 27 wherein the proteinaceous molecule has the capacity to induce astroglial proliferation.
 29. A nucleic acid molecule according to claim 28 wherein said molecule encodes an amino acid sequence substantially as set forth in SEQ ID NO:6.
 30. A nucleic acid molecule according to claim 1 wherein said molecule is of human origin.
 31. A nucleic acid molecule according to claim 1 wherein the percentage similarity to SEQ ID NO:2 is at least about 30%.
 32. A nucleic acid molecule according to claim 26 comprising a nucleotide sequence substantially as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 or having at least 15% similarity thereto or capable of hybridising under low stringency conditions to a reverse complement of the nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 provided that the nucleotide sequence has at least 15% similarity but at least 30% dissimilarity to the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3.
 33. A nucleic acid molecule according to claim 26 encoding a murine homologue of human VEGF and comprising a nucleotide sequence substantially as set forth in FIG.
 9. 34. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a proteinaceous molecule according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 11 and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or diluents.
 35. A method for preparing a recombinant molecule having the following characteristics: (i) comprises an amino acid sequence having at least about 15% similarity but at least about 5% dissimilarity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; (ii) exhibits at least one property in common with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), said method comprising expressing a nucleic acid molecule encoding said recombinant molecule by a suitable host grown under conditions effective to synthesise said. recombinant molecule and then isolating said molecule.
 36. A method according to claim 35 wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises a sequence of nucleotides as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 or having at least 15% similarity thereto or is capable of hybridising under low stringency conditions to a reverse complement of the nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 provided that the nucleotide sequence has at least 15% similarity but at least 30% dissimilarity to the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3.
 37. A method of inducing astroglial proliferation in a mammal, said method comprising administering to said mammal an effective amount of a recombinant proteinaceous molecule having the characteristics: (i) comprises an amino acid sequence having at least about 15% similarity but at least about 5% dissimilarity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; (ii) exhibits at least one property in common with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), said administration being for a time and under conditions sufficient to induce astroglial proliferation.
 38. A method according to claim 3 7 wherein the recombinant proteinaceous molecule comprises an amino acid sequence substantially as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 or is a derivative thereof.
 39. A method according to claim 37 wherein the recombinant proteinaceous molecule comprises an amino acid sequence substantially as set forth in SEQ ID NO:6 or is a derivative thereof.
 40. A method of promoting neuronal survival and/or proliferation in a mammal, said method comprising administering to said mammal an effective amount of a recombinant proteinaceous molecule having the characteristics: (i) comprises an amino acid sequence having at least about 15% similarity but at least about 5% dissimilarity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; (ii) exhibits at least one property in common with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), said administration being for a time and under conditions sufficient to induce astroglial proliferation.
 41. A method according to claim 40 wherein the recombinant proteinaceous molecule comprises an amino acid sequence substantially as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 or is a derivative thereof.
 41. A method according to claim 40 wherein the recombinant proteinaceous molecule comprises an amino acid sequence substantially as set forth in SEQ ID NO:6 or is a derivative thereof. 